Miami’s Ultra Luxury Hotels

Miami embraces its luxurious side with gusto—and there’s perhaps no better place to experience its glamorous side than inside one of the city’s ultra-luxury hotels. These all-encompassing destinations are worlds unto themselves envisioned by the most influential names in design, architecture and hospitality. You’ll dine at restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs, soak up the sun at the most stylish oceanfront poolscapes and enjoy lavish hotel suites with intuitive hospitality.

One of Miami’s newest ultra-luxury resorts reimagines Surfside’s opulent Surf Club, a marvel of Mediterranean Revival architecture that had its heyday in the 1930s. With the vision of architect Richard Meier and interior designer Joseph Dirand, modern glass towers have been erected housing jewel box-like rooms in marble, natural wood and mossy green upholstery. It’s home to two fine dining restaurants, Le Sirenuse from the Amalfi Coast and The Surf Club restaurant by famed Napa Valley chef Thomas Keller. From the globally-inspired spa to the tranquil oceanfront swimming pool, you’ll truly bask in the lap of luxury at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club.

The Faena oozes luxury from the moment you set foot in its dramatic gilded cathedral entrance with fantastical murals by artist Juan Gatti. Hotelier Alan Faena collaborated with filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his Academy Award-winning designer wife Catherine Martin as creative consultants to create this world swathed in animal print fabric and red upholstery. It’s home to two lavish restaurants, Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann and Pao by Paul Qui, a cabaret theater and multiple bars. You’ll also find a woolly mammoth skeleton dipped in gold inside a glass case on the pool deck, a work of art by contemporary master Damien Hirst.

Located off the southern tip of South Beach and accessible only by ferry, Fisher Island Club is a private members-only destination. It’s also home to an intimate 15-room boutique hotel situated inside Mediterranean Revival villas and cottages that boast private backyards with hot tubs. Each room comes with its own golf cart to tool around the island and visit its private beach, lavish spa, golf course, marina and multiple restaurants, including Garwood Lounge, a clubby steakhouse inside the Vanderbilt Mansion.

Situated inside a historic mid-century modern building on a double lot overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, The Miami Beach EDITION has retained the property’s throwback charm and blended it with modern luxury. The poolscape features a grassy rolling lawn with two swimming pools, one restored and featuring a replica of the original diving platform. Dine at one of the two Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurants onsite, Matador Room for a formal dinner or Market for a casual bite. Rooms and bungalows are outfitted in serene white and oak wood, making for a luxurious place to rest your head at the end of the night.

Situated in the exclusive village of Bal Harbour, this captivating resort combines the legacy of The St. Regis with Miami's celebrated beaches and aquamarine waters. It’s directly across the street from the swanky Bal Harbour Shops and a short drive to South Beach. With jewel box-like interiors by Yabu Pushelberg, a thousand feet of pristine beach and a lavish poolscape, you’ll melt into the luxurious environs. The Forbes Five-Star resort is also home to the Five-Star Remède Spa for the ultimate in pampering. Dine at Atlantikos for Mediterranean fare or The Grill at St. Regis for gourmet burgers, but don’t skip the nightly St. Regis tradition of sabering a bottle of champagne to celebrate the transition of day to night.

Surrounded by stunning water and city views, Mandarin Oriental, Miami brings the essence of Five-Star luxury to Brickell Key. It’s also home to a Forbes Five-Star spa and the high-end Peruvian restaurant La Mar offering glittering views of Biscayne Bay from its expansive patio. Soak up the sun at the tranquil pool or man-made beach for the perfect luxurious island escape. With spacious hotel suites and lavish bathrooms, the Mandarin provides guests ultimate chic relaxation surrounded by Miami style.

The Forbes Five-Star Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach is a bastion of oceanfront luxury. Reminiscent of a Mediterranean villa, Acqualina boasts three oceanfront swimming pools, spacious meeting rooms and a 20,000-square-foot spa. Old-world charm can be found everywhere from the lavish golden gates and Baroque fountain to the marble columns and glittering chandeliers. Acqualina’s AQ by Il Mulino and Il Mulino New York, led by chefs Andre Sattler and Michele Mazza, add to the Mediterranean charm with indulgent Italian flavors and beachside ambience. It’s also home to the Five-Star Acqualina Spa by Espa where you can unwind in the steam room or sauna before your treatment.